We really need to be more measured in the way we discuss challenge exchanges between players and the media.
As a result of ESPN’s Jenna Laine posting a video of Giovani Bernard’s locker room exchange to the media, following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, appropriate responsibility was taken.
Bernard was asked about a failed fake game in the third quarter. That is a legitimate question. He missed the snap, but he didn’t simply drop the ball. Bernard doesn’t seem ready for the snap.
He was not interested in explaining what happened in the play. and initially said he didn’t want to talk about the play. Laine later tweeted that Bernard also told the media, “oh now you guys want to talk to me.” That’s when scrum gets tough.
The video shows reporters reacting to that statement, clearly displeased and expressing it in a way that makes it look like they are attacking him. No one is more upset than Fox Sports’ Greg Auman. He’s the guy in the video who says he talked to Bernard earlier in the week, and also asks, “What did you do to make us talk to you all year?”
Bernard was definitely on the defensive from the start, but the only one who really said something offensive was Auman. It was a personal shot, and completely unnecessary. Auman tweeted on Tuesday that he is wrong and will apologize to Bernard the next time I see him.
Since the video went viral, a “player versus reporter” rerun has taken place on social media and in news articles. Kevin Durant – who always follows you on social networks – considered and said that media rights have out of hand.
In the NBA, there was a tension media scramble moment with Zach Klein by Trae Young and WSB-TV brought back the classic debate. Young issued a general statement about the situation, and Klein pressed him about the specifics of the report, which detailed Young’s dispute with Atlanta Hawks coach Nate McMillan and the outcome. is not allowed to participate in a match.
Of course, the public has harsh opinions about this interaction, but while both sides don’t look right at this point, no one has done anything glaringly wrong despite Klein’s slightly trying. to get a response from Young. Initial tracking is a bit aggressive, but it is fair. Then Klein continued and Young grew increasingly irritable. He’d made it pretty clear that he wouldn’t explain the report, but Klein didn’t give up. While neither side did anything wrong, Klein should have given up after the second follow-up.
Laine caused controversy when she posted the clip as well as her comments in the video when she told Bernard that one of the reasons he hasn’t gotten much media coverage is because he’s injured. . She tweeted afterwards that the players on IR don’t talk to the media. He has spent most of the season with IR but has played in the last three games.
Bernard has been in the NFL for over a decade. It is reasonable to believe that he knew he was going to be asked about one of the game’s most notable plays. If he doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s his prerogative but he escalated the situation with the comment he chose to make. Reporters will be defensive, especially since they haven’t had many opportunities to speak to him, having spoken to him less than seven days before.
He ended up answering a few questions about the failed play, though he did so in such a way that his intentions seemed more evasive than actually admitting the fault.
Again there is nuance applied to the situation. Bernard could have gotten out of the dressing room quickly by not making any comment other than not commenting. Instead, he poked the bear a bit and got a brief response. One person, Auman, went too far and acted unprofessionally.
The battle between who is right and who is wrong in these player-media situations will never end. This particular round is 10-8 for the player due to the deduction of points for underplaying. A hit was seen, because a member of the media posted the interaction.
Nuance, it’s good for you.
